It's one of the more famous Rock vs. Triple H matches because it was the main event of the first edition of Smackdown when Smackdown became a regular show. There was actually a taped Smackdown in April 1999, but the show aired weekly starting on August 26, 1999. Triple H was the heel WWE Champion having just won the title for the first time and The Rock was challenging him with Shawn Michaels in the role of special referee. At the time, Michaels was a babyface that wasn't wrestling anymore and the crowd loved him. That was key for the finish. When it looked like The Rock was going to get the win thanks to a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow, Michaels decided to get involved. Rock set up for the People's Elbow, bounced off the ropes and Michaels crushed him with a Superkick out of nowhere. Triple H capitalized with a Pedigree for the win. That was a creative way to end the match without moving the title off Hunter and it didn't hurt Rock too much since he was screwed out of the victory.
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